Recapping the craziest month-long period in Wolf Pack athletics history

The 6-week period after the bowl game and prior to national signing day is typically the quiet period for Wolf Pack football, a time when the program tends to go into a public hibernation.

This year, that quiet period has turned into a raucous good time. The last month in Nevada sports have been arguably the busiest in school history, with news breaking almost every day.

During the past 25 days, the Wolf Pack has watched a legendary coach resign; seen a record-breaking running back surprisingly turn pro early; hired an up-and-coming football coach who coincidentally has a close tie with one of the most bizarre sports stories in decades (the Manti Te’o hoax); seen Boise State and San Diego State return to the Mountain West before ever leaving it; and watched one of its most prized alums, Colin Kaepernick, became a nationwide star will leading his team to the Super Bowl.

Not bad for one month. Here’s a day-by-day look at the craziest month-long period in Wolf Pack athletics history.

Dec. 27: Wolf Pack football coach Chris Ault schedules a press conference for the following day to discuss the “future and direction of the Wolf Pack football program.”

Chris Ault stepped down as the Wolf Pack's coach in late December but has been busy with media requests. (Marilyn Newton/RGJ file)

Dec. 28: After 42 years at Nevada as a player, administrator or coach, Ault resigns. He finishes with a career record of 233-109-1 in 28 seasons. “My whole adult life and all that I value, in one way or another, has revolved around this university,” Ault said. “It’s really been a privilege to have been a part of something this special.”

Dec. 29: Offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich accepts the same position at Temple.

Dec. 31: Boise State announces it will stay in the MWC rather than go to the Big East (in football) and Big West (other sports) in 2013-14. The Broncos get several concessions from the MWC to remain in league.

Jan. 7: The Wolf Pack announces Polian will be its new coach, pending approval by the Board of Regents.

Jan. 9: The Nevada basketball team plays in first Mountain West game, losing 78-65 at Air Force.

Jan. 9: Rolovich changes his mind and decides to stay at Nevada rather than heading to Temple. Polian later said his first major recruiting task was retaining Rolovich, who will continue the Pistol offense. “In the end, this is where my heart and my family’s heart is,” Rolovich said.

Up-and-coming coach Brian Polian was tabbed to replace Chris Ault as the Nevada football team's head coach. (Tim Dunn/RGJ file)

Jan. 10: Polian steps foot in Reno for the first time in his life when he meets with invited boosters at Legacy Hall. “I couldn’t have picked a better opportunity to have my first chance to lead a program and put a staff together, to lead young men and represent a community,” Polian said.

Jan. 10: Wolf Pack offensive line coach Darren Hiller accepts the same position at Cincinnati.

Jan. 11: The Board of Regents confirms Polian’s hiring by a 10-3 vote. The coach gets a five-year, $2.825 million contract and meets with the media for the first time. “Nobody could replace Coach Ault,” Polian said. “I’m simply going to come in here and try to build on the unbelievable tradition that he’s laid.”

Jan. 12: Ex-Wolf Pack star Colin Kaepernick rushes 181 yards and two touchdowns and throws for 263 yards and another score to lead the San Francisco 49ers to a 45-31 win over Green Bay in an NFL divisional-round playoff game. The 181 rushing yards are the most in an NFL game by a quarterback. “I feel like I had a lot to prove,” Kaepernick said. “A lot of people doubted my ability to lead this team.”

Jan. 12: Wolf Pack special teams coach Larry Lewis accepts the same position at Virginia.

Jan. 15: Polian hires veteran offensive line coach Ron Hudson.

Jan. 16: San Diego State announces it will return to the MWC rather than join the Big East/Big West. The retention of the Aztecs gives the MWC 11 full-fledged members, with Hawaii as a football-only member.

Jan. 16: Deadspin.com reveals the Manti Te’o fake-girlfriend hoax, which pushes Polian into the national media spotlight. Polian recruited Te’o to Notre Dame and said he doesn’t believe Te’o was complicit in the hoax. “This is not the young man that I know,” Polian said. “This is not the family that I know.”

Jan. 16: Kaepernick appears on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He’s thought to be the first Wolf Pack alum to be the main solo image on the magazine’s cover in school history.

Colin Kaepernick was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. (Handout photo)

Jan. 19: Five Nevada football alums play in postseason showcase bowls, including four in the East-West Shrine Game. Cornerback Khalid Wooten notches an interception of Heisman finalist Collin Klein.

Jan. 19: The New York Times publishes a story on Ault and his Pistol offense after a visit with earlier this month. Over the past month, Ault has had an estimated 50-60 interviews, many from national media, to discuss his offense’s impact on the NFL and Kaepernick’s surprising success in the league.

Jan. 20: Kaepernick completes 16-of-21 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown to help the San Francisco 49ers to a 28-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game. Kaepernick will be the eighth Wolf Pack alum to play in a Super Bowl.

Coach Ault builds a 1 a program that is nationally respected,gets funding to build a terrific stadium and weight training room ( which many say is better than cal or USC 's) gets over 35,000 a game attendance( when it was less than 5,000) with athletes that were not on most team's radar....allthis to watch the school that made millions off him Hire a coach with no experience And pay him 100-150 k more a year than Ault made - while knowing that coaches in his conference average 1 million per year... Really ??? Makes me sick . Good luck replacing a recruiting , player developing genius !!! Long live C AULT!!!!!$$$$$

About this blog

Longtime RGJ Media reporter Dan Hinxman is the authority on Wolf Pack athletics, bringing you the day-to-day coverage of Nevada’s sports teams. Dan has covered almost everything the Northern Nevada sports scene has to offer and will use his knowledge to bring you authoritative and engaging Wolf Pack content. Follow him on Twitter at @DanHinxmanRGJ.